Aoptix Technologies, Inc.

J Christopher Shelton

Malcolm J Northcott

J Elon Graves

Jeffrey W Douglass

Raymond W Tang

In an adaptive optics module, wavefront sensing and data detection are implemented in a single device. For example, an optical-to-electrical converter converts a data-encoded optical beam to an intermediate electrical signal, which contains both the data encoded in the beam and also wavefront information about the beam. The data and wavefront information are later separated, for example by frequency filtering.

Combined wavefront sensor and data detector for a free space optical communications system with adaptive optics

A free space optical communication system includes an adaptive optical power regulator. The adaptive optical power regulator adapts to changes in effective loss associated with the free space optical path. In one embodiment the adaptive optical power regulator adapts to scintillation losses. In another embodiment, the adaptive optical power regulator further adapts to changes in atmospheric loss associated with changes in weather.

Free space optical communication system with power level management

In an optics system, a flexible mirror is deformed with an electromagnetic force. In one embodiment, an electrical current is directed through the mirror, or a conductor attached to the mirror, in the presence of a magnetic field. In one application in an adaptive optics system, the membrane mirror is used in a wavefront sensor. Deformed to oscillate between convex and concave positions, the mirror is used to alternately defocus a received light signal for determining aberrations in the light signal. By detecting aberrations in the light signal, the adaptive optics system can correct for those aberrations.

Electromagnetically driven membrane mirror assembly

A deformable mirror for an adaptive optics system includes a number of electrodes for causing deformation of the mirror. An insulating layer and a layer of conductive traces over the electrodes allow the connection points for the electrodes to be moved to a perimeter region of the mirror, which facilitates connecting the mirror to a circuit board or other equipment. In one implementation, the deformable mirror is coupled to a circuit board by a strip connector (e.g., a zebra strip connector), which is maintained in a compressed state by a retaining plate.

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

J Christopher Shelton